A video of a North Indian man arguing with a local auto driver in Bengaluru sparked widespread outrage online after he insisted the driver speak in Hindi. The man, who has lived in the city for nine years, was seen aggressively asserting that language choice shouldn’t change with geography, saying, “Noida mein raho ya Bangalore mein raho, tum bhi Hindi mein baat karo.” The confrontation was quickly de-escalated by a woman accompanying him, but the video triggered a fresh wave of debate around language imposition and respect for regional cultures in India’s urban spaces.

In a surprising twist, the man later released an apology video—this time, speaking in Kannada. Expressing remorse, he said, “I apologise to all Kannadigas. I have been in Bengaluru for the last nine years and I have deep sentiments attached to this city. Bengaluru has given me life and I respect it. I earn from this city. I like this city a lot. If I hurt anyone’s sentiments, I am sorry.” His effort to speak the local language in the apology has drawn mixed reactions online, with some appreciating the gesture, while others remain critical of his earlier behavior.

The original confrontation quickly went viral and ignited discussions about linguistic sensitivity, especially in culturally diverse cities like Bengaluru. The auto driver’s firm response—“You have come to Bengaluru, you speak in Kannada. I won’t speak in Hindi”—resonated with many locals who feel their language is often sidelined. While the apology attempts to cool tensions, it also underscores a broader issue India continues to wrestle with: balancing national identity with regional pride.